Dementia Support Service March 2013

Dementia Support Service – Why do it? Fear of dementia means that people delay in coming forward for diagnosis and support. Information and support after diagnosis for those with dementia and their carers has been poor or non-existent. Services do not always understand how to respond to people with dementia and their carers, leading to poor outcomes. People with dementia and their carers are not always treated with dignity and respect. Family members and people who support and care for people with dementia do not always receive the help to protect their own welfare and to enable them to go on caring safely and effectively. Dementia diagnosis is increasing. There are six dementia standards – A person with dementia has the right to a diagnosis, be treated with dignity and respect, access a range of treatments, care and supports; be as independent as possible and to be included in their community; have carers who are well supported and educated about dementia; end of life care that respects the wishes of the person. Promoting Excellence: a framework for all health and social services staff working with people with dementia, their families and carers. There are four levels of knowledge requirements informed, skilled, enhance and expert. The training is currently being targeted to care staff at ‘Dementia Skilled Practice Level’ and for catering and cleaning staff, admin, housing staff etc at “informed practice level”.

Dementia Support Service – How to do it? The dementia support service provides advice, accurate and up to date information and specialist support which addresses the unique needs of people living with dementia and their carers. Support is provided at home or in the local community on a short-term basis. We offer advice and information that is both flexible and responsive to your needs and aim to improve both you and your carer’s quality of life. We will help you to continue to live at home for as long as possible and provide support to your carer. The service is available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. The service has it’s own blog which provides up to date information surrounding the dementia support service and the local memory cafes.

Engagement – What did people ask for ? Service users and their families had been asking for support as part of assessments carried out. Service users and their carers have had little in the way of engagement with specific reference to dementia. Staff in the Partnership had told us that they had little to refer service users to. Service users had told us that they needed more support in a more flexible way. Carers asked for our support with training and are trained along with the staff teams. We have developed engagement through Carer Surveys, Service Questionnaires, Support Groups, Newsletter, Twitter, Our Blog, Carers Events and through the Partnership with particular reference to colleagues within Mental Health services.

Referral Process Service user Dementia Support Staff Family ACM Team CMHT GP Telecare

Current Position We currently have 7 Dementia Support workers across North Ayrshire with an 8th being appointed in April. We are currently developing the service on the Islands of Cumbrae and Arran in conjunction with Health Partners. We have memory café’s within every locality (6 in total). The service is free and available to all age groups. The service has been mainline funded away from the Change Fund for 2013/14. We have provided services to over 284 people with dementia and their carers in North Ayrshire. The service has a twitter account which has over 185 followers and has “tweeted” over 902 tweets informing the audience of various articles surrounding dementia and sharing good practice.

The Future Dementia Support Service fully mainline funded from 01 April 2013. 1st Year Report due at 31 March 2013. Further Partnership working within the role of the Keyworker. Continued and ongoing delivery of the Promoting Excellence Framework. Engagement work continues through support groups and through events run by the Partnership. Further informal and formal engagement with Service users, Carers and Carer’s Groups.

Come talk to us – Engage Call us 01505684362 Tweet us @NAdementia Blog www.northayrshiredementia.wordpress.com Visit us http://www.northayrshire.gov.uk/SocialCareAndHealth/HelpForAdults/DementiaSupport.aspx